This is a point Saban made clear with a pointed answer to a question in today's press conference. He aimed gripes at the media, and singled out television commentators during the games.

"I mean, can somebody stand up and fight for these guys and what they do for the game -- and probably get less for it than anybody?" Saban said.

His voice rising to a shout, Saban pointed to how little the officials make for the trouble, saying, "If I was an official, and I was making what I made officiating because I love the game and I love doing it, and I was getting criticized by the media - including our announcers on TV -- like these guys are getting criticized, I'd step back and say, 'I think I'll go to the lake this weekend. You can have this.' That's what I'd do."

As for the non-interception call with LSU's Patrick Peterson, Saban said, "If it was an interception, that doesn't mean they win the game."